Scott Urick named first head coach of UDC men's lacrosse

The University of the District of Columbia has announced the hiring of Scott Urick as its first-ever men's lacrosse coach. Urick, the son of longtime Georgetown men's coach Dave Urick, comes to the university after 11 years as an assistant coach at Georgetown, where he helped lead the Hoyas to six NCAA quarterfinal appearances. The Firebirds will compete in the East Coast Conference beginning in the 2014 season.

"Scott Urick is an outstanding leader for the first men's lacrosse program at the University of the District of Columbia," athletic director Patricia Thomas said. "His experiences as a student-athlete, professional athlete and coach on the highest levels are exceptional. Scott has the expertise and work ethic to elevate our program as well as enhance the sport in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. He is a tremendous person, and I could not be more pleased to have him join the Firebird family."

During his time at Georgetown, Urick served as the offensive coordinator and man-up coach. He helped 24 players earn All-America distinction, including the 2002 Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award winner for Most Outstanding Player in the country, Steve Dusseau. Urick mentored 18 different players to All-Big East Conference accolades and helped 28 different players earn All-Eastern College Athletic Conference honors, including the 2002, 2004, and 2007 Offensive Players of the Year.

Before his time at Georgetown, Urick spent one season as an assistant coach at Cornell.

"I am extremely honored and proud to be named the first head men's lacrosse coach in University of the District of Columbia history," Urick said. "Under the guidance of President Allen Sessoms and athletic director Patricia Thomas, the University of the District of Columbia has been working hard to build the athletic department over the past several years. The results have been very positive as evidenced by the recent success of several teams, and I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of the future success of the Firebirds. The location of the university, the academic programs available, and the vast improvements underway to the physical campus and athletic facilities make the University of the District of Columbia a very attractive place to study and compete as a student-athlete. I am thrilled with this opportunity, and I cannot wait to get started."

Urick ended his playing career as one of the most decorated lacrosse players in the history of the game, playing nine seasons of professional lacrosse with the New Jersey Pride (2001-08) and the Washington Bayhawks (2009) of Major League Lacrosse. A four-time All-Star selection, Urick was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2002 MLL All-Star Game, and he scored 234 goals in 102 career games.

Urick was a member of the United States national team in 2006, leading the team with 20 goals en route to the championship game and the silver medal at the World Lacrosse Championships in Ontario, Canada.

Urick graduated from Georgetown as the school's all-time leading goal scorer (144), and he is second in school history for goals in a single season with 47. He was a two-time All-America selection and was a captain in both his junior and senior years. Urick recorded 180 career points, the fifth-highest total in school history. He played on four NCAA tournament teams, including the 1999 team, which advanced to the NCAA semifinals. An All-Tournament selection in 1999, he also represented Georgetown in the 2000 North/South All-Star game and was the team MVP.

In October 2011 Urick was inducted into the Potomac Chapter of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

The seeds of doubt have been planted. Maryland, Notre Dame, Duke and Denver are left in the running for the men's lacrosse crown, and it looks like a tossup as to who's going to emerge on Memorial Day. For the first time in five years, four seeded teams reached championship weekend. For a while,...